Archive Article: 2001/11/02

2 November 2001

Doubts are cast on national scrapie plan

Not by coincidence is DEFRA stepping up its national scrapie plan after the bungled research into the likelihood of BSE in sheep. The stark truth is that escalating the plan will mean killing more sheep with susceptible genotypes more quickly.

But is it justified? In our Livestock Section, a leading vet questions the science behind the plan, casting doubt on whether such an approach is necessary.

Lets hope DEFRA takes a long, calm and careful look at the plan before starting something we might all live to regret. After all, its recent track record of scientific success is less than fully inspiring.